WORKS to make the River Arade navigable between Portimão and Silves will cause only “temporary environmental prejudice”, according to the official Environmental Impact Report (EIA) released recently for public consultation. The works, which envisage the dredging of a 11.2km long channel and the removal of some 500,000m3 of sediment, are to allow the passage of small and medium-sized recreational vessels with a maximum load-draught of 1.2m. The project also includes the creation of seven new quays along the river with mooring facilities, landing stages and footpaths at Parchal, Mexilhoeira da Carregação Sul, Mexilhoeira Norte, Moinhos de Maré, Fontes, Rosário and Silves. The EIA concludes that most of the environmental problems, including noise pollution, water and air quality, and any negative
biological consequences, will only be present for the duration of the works. If the project is approved, dredging is expected to begin in October of this year and will take about six months to complete.
For Isabel Soares, President of Silves Câmara, the five million euro project “is a very important work, particularly from the point of view of tourism”. She further revealed a programme for the renovation of traditional fishing vessels intended for tourist use on the newly dredged river.
Presently, the Arade is navigable to vessels of up to one metre load-draught, but only at high tide.
